Korean War veteran honored in style

More than 60 years after he served his country, a Gaston County Korean War veteran received first-class treatment for a trip to the nation's capital.

Ken Shelton was one of about 90 people who boarded the latest Blue Ridge Honor Flight on May 13. The organization aims to fly as many veterans as possible to view the memorials in Washington, D.C.

"It was an unbelievable experience," said Shelton, who was flown from Asheville and back.

Shelton served in the Air Force from 1952-1956, spending stints in Korea, San Antonio, Biloxi, Mississippi and Riverside County, California. He said he worked in communications intelligence and was tasked with monitoring Korea, North Korea and China.

The Dallas resident credits the Air Force for calming his unpredictable youth and setting him on the path for success.

"I had been kinda wild as a child," he said. "I went into the Air Force and they straightened me out. I was lucky enough to be assigned to the intelligence area with a wonderful group of men that formed my experience for the rest of my life."

After exiting the service, Shelton earned his degree from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He went on to work for the Social Security Administration in Louisville before being transferred to the Social Security office in Shelby.

Shelton's life went on, but he always remembered his time in the Air Force. Still, decades after he left he was surprised at the cheers hoisted upon him and other veterans for last Saturday's tour.

"I never expected to receive the ovation we received when we arrived in Washington and when we came back," he said. "Just hundreds of people there to send us off and to meet us with flags. The airplane we went on was all decorated with flags and all that nature... When we got back it was 10 o'clock at night. The airport was filled with people. It was very emotional for them to thank us for what we had done."

Among those in Washington there to greet Shelton was former presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Bob Dole. Dole, a World War II veteran, held many of the war heroes hands as he was transported among them in a wheelchair.

"That was wonderful," Shelton said.

Shelton still goes on reunions with many of the people he served with. In the past, they met in places like Las Vegas and California, though Shelton says the next one is slated for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The Blue Ridge Honor Flight is a program within the Honor Flight network. The organization has flown more than 150,000 veterans to Washington since 2005, according to its website.

You can reach Adam Lawson at 704-869-1842 or on Twitter @GazetteLawson.